Dear Dr.Dezube, I am a 34 yo HIV+ wm, recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. I had been healthy up to that point, on medication with an undetectable viral load, and normal CD4. Considering my diagnosis with the cancer, do I now have technically full blown AIDS? I know my cancer is treatable either way, but would still like to know my status.

Response from Dr. Dezube

Even with a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, you do NOT have AIDS. Basically the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) definition of AIDS includes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but NOT Hodgkin's disease. Even though Hodgkin's disease (HD) is NOT an AIDS-defining illness, HD is quite commonly seen in HIV'ers. You are correct in that your cancer is indeed quite treatable. Good luck with your treatment. BD.

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